The only photograph of Taksari Chandrabir Pradhan

This photograph from the book 'The Gates of Thibet' is the only photograph of Taksari Chandrabir Pradhan. The photo was taken in 1893 at Rhenock Bazaar, he is sitting next to Rhenock Kazi, and Louis the author next to him standing.

There were six Taksari families in Sikkim who were addressed as “Taksari”. Those Taksari included Lachhimidas Pradhan, Kancha Chandrabir Pradhan, Chandbir Pradhan Maskey of Pakyong, Jitman Singh Pradhan, Prasad Singh Chettri of Tarku Estate, and Bharaddoj Gurung of Khani Goan.

“Kanchenjunga” magazine published from Gangtok in the early 1960s in one of its issues carried an article on Taksaari Chandrabir Pradhan, the same man behind the introduction of Sikkim’s coin system. It said Taksaari Chandrabir Pradhan received the royal order from the Chogyal to cut down the jungles and set up a dweller at Singtam. He further went up to establish Rangpo and Pakyong too.